(PHOENIX) Thursday, 12, 2012 -- Attorney General Tom Horne today announced the filing of a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court against 26 defendants for allegedly violating the Consumer Fraud Act, the Telephone Solicitations Statute and Civil Racketeering statute related to telemarketing/work from home scams.

The complaint alleges that the defendants sold websites claiming that consumers could sell credit card merchant services, debt consolidation services and/or mortgage refinancing services with the promise of substantial commissions from sales generated from the consumers’ web sites. Consumers are then subjected to high-pressure sales tactics to sell marketing packages to website owners. Consumers spent thousands of dollars on these packages after again being promised substantial commissions.

“My office is committed to shutting down work from home scams that take advantage of vulnerable consumers, especially seniors,” Horne said. “Preventing this type of consumer fraud and educating consumers about possible scams is one of my top priorities.”

The defendants used many other business names when telephoning consumers, including The Economic Freedom Corporation, True Success Solutions, Franklin Financial Solutions, My Choice Business Services, Innovative Marketing Strategies, DBB Marketing, CGF Enterprises and East Street Merchants.

The Attorney General’s Office obtained an temporary restraining order that prohibits the defendants from telemarketing and from selling business opportunities. The defendants also are prevented from accessing bank accounts which potentially contain monies that were obtained through fraud.

Consumers who believe they were defrauded by a business opportunity seller or are contacted by a company that has not complied with the new law should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office. To file a consumer complaint, please contact the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Consumer Information & Complaints Unit at (602) 542-5763 / (520)628-6504